Substitute For Marsala Wine - Cooking Alternatives

What is Marsala wine? Can you use a substitute for Marsala wine if a recipe specifically calls for this particular wine?

Marsala wine is produced on Sicily by using various varieties of grapes such as the Inaolia, Catarratto and Grillo grapes among others. It also comes in three grades that are classified according to color and sweetness, they are: Oro which is a light gold color, Amber, a darker sweeter blend and Rubino the true red variety. Marsala wine is a very sweet wine and often used in Italian cooking with many dishes using it in their names, such as the worlds famous Chicken Marsala that is served at Italian restaurants around the world. It is also often served as an aperitf before dinner.

If you do not use alcohol of any type or are against using wine in cooking you can omit it from certain recipes without to much trouble. For example, in Tiramisu you can completely omit the wine and follow one of many nonalcoholic recipes available that are still delicious.

It is a different story if you are considering using a substitute for Marsala, for example in Chicken Marsala, then it would be best to use a very sweet wine, a port or a sherry. Though this will, at times drastically alter the flavor of the recipe and it would then be best called chicken and wine instead of chicken Marsala.

All in all, there really is no substitute for Marsala wine in some recipes. This wine is often used as a base flavor for sauces. It has a very distinct flavor when it is reduced. It offers a flavor that is often key and the entire foundation of a dish.

It is good to note wine has been reported to have antioxidant properties and a reasonable amount in a moderate diet has been reported as healthy. Also, for those that do not wish to partake in alcoholic beverages, all the alcoholic properties and content of the wine cooks off during the cooking process and leaves only the essence of flavor behind. Marsala wine is also very easy to obtain and is usually available at most liquor purveyors. It is typically located by the ports and the sherry. It is reasonably priced and is a great addition to any kitchen pantry and once used, sure to become a stable in many of your favorite recipes.

Ultimately the decision is yours, substitute Marsala wine or not? Alcohol or none? Change can often be a good thing, but sometimes it is best to follow the recipe and use the list of ingredients recommend for the best results. Like the old saying goes "if it isn't broke, don't fix it."

International Cooking Schools

International cooking schools are increasingly becoming popular as more and more people are taking up culinary skills seriously. Choosing the right international cooking school is a decision that should not be taken lightly. There are several factors involved in the entire process of going to an international cooking school.

For instance, one has to check whether a particular cooking school focuses on specialty food careers or on regional cooking. With the culinary field fast emerging as an industry by itself, fortunately there are a number of good international cooking schools available.
Deciding on the perfect international cooking school is half the battle won. So, before you put on your chef hat and get cooking, do homework about the potential international schools and then arrive at a final decision.

One can locate culinary schools through online directories. Most of the international cooking schools have comprehensive web sites that can help you learn in detail about their curriculum. It is always preferable that you check an international school in person. This way you will have a fair idea about the entire infrastructure available on the campus and details regarding the various facilities on offer. Check out the faculty who are available in particular international cooking schools. Qualified and industry experienced faculty mean that you will learn more. One good way to find out about a particular international cooking school is to talk to the alumni. Once you hear from the horse's mouth, you will definitely have more than a good idea about the credentials of a particular school.

International cooking schools are on the increase because most chefs who start their careers are able to find work in their field immediately. The basic law of supply and demand can be seen working here. Since people will always need food, chefs also will always be in demand.

Atlanta Cooking School

If you are looking for an education in the culinary arts in Atlanta, then you are in luck. We are running a series where we focus in on respective schools for cooking in cites throughout the united States and abroad. We are currently focusing in on Atlanta. Culinary Schools abound in this fine city and the following list will briefly detail the individual culinary school.

The Art Institute of Atlanta - This is the best known of the Atlanta cooking schools. This institute belongs to the well known "Art Institute," an educational program that specializes in culinary arts and has facilities around the United States and Canada.

If you are interested in the various aspects of food including cooking technique, taste and presentation, then this is the school for you. There are some well known chefs that teach at this fine school for cooking. The Art Institute of Atlanta focuses on helping their students gain practical experience in the kitchen as well as the all important culinary disciplines which consist of sanitation, cost control, beverage management, safety, nutrition, and food management.

Atlanta Technical InstituteThis relatively small junior college was recently named "America's Best Community College by Washington Monthly." They are located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Culinary Arts or schools for cooking can be pretty expensive. If you are looking to get your feet wet and save some money in the process then you may want to consider attending this school where they offer a Certificate of Credit in Culinary Nutrition Manager, Culinary Nutrition Assistant, as well as Assistant Food Service Purchasing Agent.

There are several other fine alternatives in Atlanta. Cooking schools are a great way for someone interested in working in the food service field to get started. There are many other fine schools located in and around the Atlanta area. If you would like more information then check out the link below.

Chinese Cooking Tips

Cooking with Christopher Walken

Why Use Herbs in Your Cooking?

Plants have been used in cooking for years now, though many people are still unsure of how to use them correctly. For some they simply experiment until they find the perfect combination, but for others they just do not seem to be able to get the hang of it. Different herbs go with different foods and it is important to know all about the different herbs before you actually use them in your cooking.

How Herbs Have Been Used Over the Years

Herbs have a number of uses and they have been used for literally hundreds of years. The Chinese mainly discovered them and they were used for both cooking and healing purposes. However there is no evidence as to when the Chinese actually started using herbs in their cooking.

The Egyptians were also thought to have used herb plants in their cooking well before the pyramids were even built. Herbs are as popular as ever today and people tend to experiment more and more with their cooking by adding herbs to their food in order to give it extra flavour. If you eat out at restaurants then there is a big chance that the chefs there may have used herbs in their cooking.

The good thing about using herbs is that it is easy to add them to most foods, so you do not have to be a chef in order to experiment with them. If you want to use herbs in your cooking for the first time it may not work out to plan, but the best thing to do is to keep experimenting. Sometimes you may get some great results and other times you may not do as well, so you just need to persevere. Just remember not to overdo it with herbs, because by using too much it can often make the taste of the food a little overpowering. Also, another tip is to try to use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs as you will be able to tell the difference when it comes to tasting them.

Overall, herbs in our food have been used for thousands of years, although the exact dates it started are not overly clear. By adding herbs it can really add extra flavour to our food and it is also good for you at the same time; so it is definitely worth trying them out. Experiment with the different types of herbs and try them out on different foods in order to see if you can create something that is really tasty and that you will enjoy.

Sam the Cooking guy tells Kathie Lee and Hoda be quiet

A Guide to French Cooking Schools

The art of traditional French cooking was popularized by chefs such as Julia Child. All around the world chefs are offering this type of food at five star establishments, showing the talents the learned in school. The most famous of these schools is the Cordon Bleu in France, but that is by no means the only place to study. There are French cooking schools located all around the world, with a large number located in USA and the Vancouver area.

The French Culinary Institute in New York City, New York is one of the most famous of the French cooking schools and one of the best in the USA. This school has a long history of breeding renowned and well known chefs, one of the most famous being Donatella Arpaia. Arpaia has her own show on the Food Network, has published several books over the years and now owns her own Greek restaurant.

The best French cooking schools are the ones that teach students a wide variety of skills and the ones that go beyond traditional French cuisine. Arpaia is a great example of that. The business woman was raised in a Greek home, yet didn't have the skills necessary to run a restaurant. After attending classes at the French Culinary Institute, she learned how the basics of food preparation and was able to use that in her future career.

French cooking schools in USA and in areas like Vancouver, Canada are often offered through a smaller or local school. For example some community and junior colleges offer classes in traditional French cuisine. Many students have also found classes offered in conjunction with restaurants and stores as well. A store and restaurant may offer classes to customers and students that want to learn one dish or skill rather than taking a full course load.

Of course those living in the US or Canada can also attend French cooking schools in France. The schools offer full length programs of study as well as individual classes and internships. The student simply needs to apply for the program and pay the tuition fees or apply for financial aid to pay for the classes. Once accepted they'll study from the masters of French cuisine and learn the skills they need.

French cooking schools are located in nearly every country of the world. These schools focus on training their students in food preparation, learning essential skills and cooking the best French dishes. Students can then go forth into the world knowing that they've learned from the best chefs in the world.

Waterless Cooking Demystified, Part 1 - What is Waterless Cooking and Waterless Cookware

What is Waterless Cooking?

Waterless cooking is an alternative to traditional, water-based cooking methods. The food is cooked in special waterless cookware primarily in its own natural juices, which results in a healthier, tastier, and more attractive meal.

What is Waterless Cookware?

Waterless cookware is a special kind of cookware with a unique design and construction to facilitate cooking foods in their own natural juices. Whether boiling, braising, poaching or slow cooking, most traditional cooking methods require some amount of added water. But as anyone who has ever experienced a plate of limp, pale, overcooked broccoli knows, too much water can ruin the taste, texture and appearance of your food. By using specially designed waterless cookware, you can create great-tasting, healthy meals in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods.

Waterless cookware cooks foods at low temperature in their own natural juices, which not only retains flavor and texture but also keeps the natural vitamins and minerals from being leached away during the cooking process. The result is food that tastes better, is healthier and that retains its natural bright color and crispy texture throughout the cooking process.

Is Waterless Cooking Really "Waterless"?

There are numerous conflicting opinions regarding whether you should ever add water for waterless cooking. On one extreme many waterless proponents state that you should never add water; otherwise it is not waterless cooking. Other proponents recommend adding water and give precise guidance on how much water to add. The truth is less clear-cut; whether waterless cooking is totally waterless depends on the type and amount of food that you cook; you can add a little water or almost no water and let the foods cook in their own juices. When adding water, the general rule of thumb is to add 1 ounce of water per quart of cookware. Remember though that this is only a guideline; as you gain experience with your waterless cookware, you will learn the amount of water that is most satisfactory for your specific cookware, the types of food that you cook and your personal preferences.

Why Surgical Stainless Steel Waterless Cookware?

The best waterless cookware uses surgical stainless steel because it's a higher quality of stainless steel. More detail will be given on the construction of waterless cookware and the special properties of surgical stainless steel in subsequent articles.

Read the remaining articles in the series: How does Waterless Cookware work? What are the 7 Advantages of Waterless Cooking?...

About the author: Joyce is an enthusiastic cook. Over decades of cooking, she's experienced diverse cuisines and has utilized many kinds of specialty cookware. She has extensive knowledge of natural food and health and many years of practice of Tai chi and Yoga. She has come to recognize waterless cooking as the ultimate cooking technique for healthier and tastier meals for a person or family with a busy lifestyle.

Learn to Avoid Food Poisoning With 3 Simple Cooking Habits

Every kind of food we eat is crawling with micro-organisms like bacteria. Of course, bacteria are not all bad. There are beneficial bacteria that live in our intestines that help us digest the food we eat. However, on the other side of the coin, there are harmful types of bacteria that grow on food and these can make us sick.

So how can you reduce your chance of getting sick from the food you prepare? If you're an expert in the kitchen, you probably already know the answer. This might be less obvious for the average person just starting to cook though.

#1: Always cook your meat well. When meat is uncooked or undercooked, there can be a lot of different kinds of bacteria which can still grow. Some of these might make you sick directly by interacting with cells that make up your stomach. Other bacteria will just keep growing on your meat and make toxins which will make you sick. If you're eating meat that's undercooked, you do run into some health risks if the meat is not well treated. If you cook your meat well or even overcook it a little, you kill all the harmful bacteria and you won't get sick. Also, when you cook your meat well, you can refrigerate it safely for longer than undercooked meat.

#2: Don't use the same knife to cut salad and meat. Most people will dice or slice their meat before cooking it. When you use the knife to cut your uncooked meat, bacteria are not yet killed and will attach to your knife. If you use the same knife to cut your salad (say lettuce for your salad, which does not get cooked), you will be transferring the bacteria from the meat to your salad. Either rinse the knife with soap and briefly dry it with a paper towel every time you are switching from meat to salad or just use two different knives (one for cutting salad exclusively and the other for cutting meat).

#3: Wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them. This is an extremely good habit to get into. Sometimes you can have fungus or bacteria growing on the surface of your fruits and vegetables that can't be seen by the naked eye. Washing them will get rid of many of them. At the same time, you will also be washing your hands. This habit is a double whammy.

It's also important to note that the average person with a normal immune system can take a low dose of harmful bacteria. For example, if your uncooked meat starts with a high dose of harmful bacteria, you should definitely cook it well. If your meat starts off with a low dose of harmful bacteria, these habits are somewhat less important for the average person. Most times, you just don't know how much harmful bacteria are on your uncooked meat, so it's best to practice these habits right from the start.

These are some of the simplest habits you should develop to reduce the risk of getting sick from food.

VICTORIA BECKHAM COOKING

Let's Get Our Company Cooking With Corporate Culinary Items

So what is cooking in the world of business? Apparently just about everything and everyone. That's why companies are using corporate culinary items to promote their business and their products. There are a lot of different reasons why companies are using corporate culinary items to promote their business and products.

Here are a couple of different ways that a company may use corporate culinary products to promote their products and services.

New neighbours

Corporate culinary items are especially a good idea if you are a real estate agent or in another company that works with people who are just moving in. Corporate culinary items are a really nice way to welcome new people to your sales area and to let them know that you are there for then. It's a good idea even if you aren't in the real estate business but you get new neighbours who move in next to you.

Clients who move

Corporate culinary items are a good item to give to clients who are moving. You want them to know that you are thinking of them and that you want to make the transition as easy as possible for them. When you are moving to a new house, having some nice new things to take with you is always a nice idea.

Here are some suggestions on what you should do when you are considering your culinary items for promotion.

Target audience

The first thing that you are going to want to consider is your target audience when you are buying your corporate culinary items. Do your products or services appeal to young or older people? Are you appealing to people who have families or are single?

Economic status

Another thing to consider when you are buying culinary items is what is the economic status of your clients? You give your clients the wrong impression if you give them something that they are never going to use simply because that isn't the type of food that they eat or because they aren't familiar with the item. You also don't want to give something simply to a customer who is used to the best.

So think about what their economic status when you are buying culinary items and it will help you know what to buy.

Culture

Does your company deal with a lot of overseas clients? When you are dealing with culinary items, it's always a good idea to think about the culture of your overseas clients before you send them a culinary item. With the differences in cuisine that people around the world, it's always a good idea to research what they eat and use that to guide you when you are considering culinary items.

Everyone has a different idea of what is good to eat, so you want to take everything into consideration when you are buying culinary items. You will find that the people you give the culinary items to will appreciate it and that your relations with clients and customers are going to be a lot better because of it.

Amazing Cooking!